kept on wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept on wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a persistent desire or longing for something over a period of time. Example: "Despite having everything she needed, she kept on wanting more from life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They kept on wanting us to house more and more prisoners," he said.

Huffington Post

"Looking back it was my fault because I kept on wanting him to eat".

The Guardian

"I kept on wanting to pick them up and gouge my eye out," she recalls.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Maybe all I wanted was to keep on wanting to learn French, not to actually learn it.

The New York Times - Travel

The organisers of the large international peacekeeping force now being put together for Afghanistan had better make sure that most Afghans want it, and keep on wanting it, to be there.

The Economist

Thankfully none of this gets in the way of a good old-fashioned sex romp, which is why, after all, people keep on wanting to read and write about Casanova.

The Guardian - Books

If it's not dinner time yet, keep on doing whatever you want.

WikiHow

"The club wants to go up, but it wants to keep on going.

BBC

If things get a little heated between the two of you, stay calm and keep focused on wanting a compromise that works for you both.

WikiHow

But she wants to keep on talking.

The Guardian - Film

"I just wanted to keep on talking," Ms. Anderson said.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept on wanting" to emphasize a persistent and repeated desire, especially when the object of desire is not easily attainable or the situation makes it difficult to fulfill the want.

Common error

While "kept on wanting" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive or informal. Consider using synonyms like "continued to desire" or "persistently sought" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept on wanting" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a continuous or repeated desire. As Ludwig AI points out, this expression highlights the persistent nature of the desire, differentiating it from a simple statement of wanting. The examples showcase its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept on wanting" is a grammatically correct and usable phrasal verb that signifies a persistent or recurring desire. While considered acceptable for use as per Ludwig AI, it's more common in news and media and wiki contexts, lending itself to neutral communication. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "continued to desire" or "persistently sought" might be more appropriate. Remember, the key is to emphasize the repeated or continuous nature of the desire. The examples provided by Ludwig offer a clear view of this expression's application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never stopped desiring

Directly states the continuous nature of the desire.

continued to desire

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the desire without necessarily implying repeated attempts.

persisted in desiring

Highlights the steadfastness and unwavering nature of the wanting.

longed continuously

Focuses on the emotional aspect of wanting, suggesting a deep yearning.

remained desirous

A more formal way of expressing a sustained desire or wanting.

incessantly craved

Implies a very strong and perhaps obsessive level of wanting.

repeatedly yearned

Highlights the recurrence of the yearning or wanting.

habitually wished for

Indicates that the wanting has become a habit or routine.

unendingly coveted

Implies a strong desire, often for something belonging to someone else.

always had a desire for

This alternative emphasizes the constant presence of the desire, rather than the repeated action of wanting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "kept on wanting" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "continued to desire", "persistently sought", or "remained desirous" for a more elevated tone.

Is "kept on wanting" the same as "wanted"?

Not exactly. "Wanted" simply expresses a desire. "Kept on wanting" implies a repeated or continuous desire over a period of time, emphasizing persistence.

Can "kept on wanting" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, it can. For example, "He kept on wanting things he couldn't afford" implies a negative situation due to the persistent desire.

What's the difference between "kept wanting" and "kept on wanting"?

While similar, "kept on wanting" emphasizes the continuous or repetitive nature of the desire more strongly than "kept wanting". The "on" adds a sense of ongoing persistence.